Catherine Griffin : Science World Report

Sep 27, 2013 01:08 PM EDT

Scientists Create World's First Carbon Nanotube Computer

Scientists have built a new computer. It's not just any computer, though; it was created with carbon nanotubes, a semiconductor material that has the potential to launch a new generation of electronic devices that run faster while using less energy.

Sep 27, 2013 11:58 AM EDT

iCub Robot May Think Like a Human

What if a robot could act and even feel like a human? Researchers are getting a bit closer to accomplishing that feat. They're working on a robot that feels, sees, thinks and learns like us as the lines between man and machine become a bit more blurry.

Sep 27, 2013 10:56 AM EDT

Drug-Positive Drivers Have Triple the Risk for Fatal Car Crashes

There's new evidence that shows people driving under the influence of drugs are more dangerous than ever on the road. Scientists have discovered that drug use is associated with an increased risk of fatal crash involvement--almost three times as high.

Sep 27, 2013 10:04 AM EDT

Colorful Beetles Have Maternal Instincts

Do beetles have maternal instincts? That's a good question. Scientists have discovered that a subfamily of colorful beetles show explicit signs of maternal instincts and care. The findings reveal a little bit more about the earliest stages of social behavior.

Sep 27, 2013 09:26 AM EDT

NASA Mars Curiosity Rover Discovers Pyramid-Shaped Rock

The Mars Curiosity rover is making findings every day. Now, it turns out that the first rock it examined on the Red Planet with a pair of chemical instruments was a bit more unusual than scientists first thought. The rock was a pyramid-shaped piece of volcanic rock called a "mugearite," which was un...

Sep 27, 2013 09:01 AM EDT

Near-Complete Mammal Extinctions Occur in Fragmented Forests

Deforestation can be devastating for ecosystems. Even when steps are taken to preserve patches of forest, the fragmentation can wreak havoc on populations of animals that live there. Now, scientists have discovered that these small, fragmented forests can actually hasten the extinction of the mammal...

Sep 27, 2013 08:19 AM EDT

Martian Chemical Complicates NASA Curiosity Rover's Hunt for Life on Mars

A certain chemical may complicate the hunt for life on Mars. It turns that there's a chemical in the Martian soil that interferes with the techniques used by NASA's Curiosity rover to test for traces of life, burning away evidence during tests.

Sep 27, 2013 07:47 AM EDT

Scientists Discover 'Space Weather' Behind Dazzling Northern Lights

Solar storms can be powerful as solar material and magnetic fields erupt into interplanetary space. Known as "space weather," these storms can impact satellites and even cause power blackouts on Earth and supercharge the aurora. Now, scientists have taken a closer look at space weather, showing exac...

Sep 26, 2013 11:56 AM EDT

'Microbial Clock' May Help Investigators Determine Time of Death

Determining what time a person died can be crucial for police investigations. Yet it can sometimes be difficult when a body begins to decompose. Now, though, researchers may have developed a new way to tell the time of death of a person--by examining bacteria.

Sep 26, 2013 11:26 AM EDT

Archaeologists Uncover Oldest Lizard-like Fossil

Archaeologists have uncovered the oldest lizard-like fossil yet. The ancient remains reveal a little bit more about the evolutionary origins of lizards and show exactly what sort of species emerged in the distant past.

Sep 26, 2013 10:37 AM EDT

Humans Aren't the Only Primates Who Whisper

Humans aren't the only primates that whisper to keep from being overheard. It turns out that tamarin monkeys do the same thing. Scientists have discovered these animals lower their voices to keep others from hearing what they're saying.

Sep 26, 2013 10:04 AM EDT

Neurological Basis for Lack of Empathy in Psychopaths

Psychopaths often lack empathy and remorse. Until now, though, researchers have been unsure exactly what the neurological basis was for empathy dysfunction in psychopaths. Now, scientists have discovered hat when individuals with psychopathy imagine others in pain, brain areas necessary for feeling ...